Etryptamine, a new designer drug with a fatal effect

Capsules with etryptamine have been commonly available on the market since the middle of 1985. Up to 1962 this CNS-stimulating, monoamine-oxidase-inhibiting drug was sold as an antidepressant (Monase). A case of fatal intoxication is reported. The exact amount of etryptamine taken several hours before death are not known, but it could have been in the range of 700 mg. This drug was detected in tissue by means of common analytical techniques (GLC, GC-MS, HPLC, TLC). Etryptamine cross-reacts with the Emit-st amphetamine assay and can also be detected in urine using these techniques. The level in postmortem blood was 1.1 mg/l. The effects the young man showed were like those known from intoxication with amphetamines, MAO inhibitors, and thymoleptics. Malignant hyperthermia is discussed as a possible cause of death. It is suggested that trade in etryptamine should be controlled.     

Applications of crime seriousness information in police departments

This article describes the use of crime seriousness information in police operations. It is based on a project at the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department in which eight weeks of crime information were coded using the Sellin-Wolfgang seriousness scale. Statistics were then derived which quantified the seriousness of the various categories of crimes. Several applications were investigated based on the crime seriousness data. These included: (1) case assignment to detectives, (2) allocation of patrol personnel, and (3) determination of the size and location of patrol beats. Areas for future research are presented involving the use of crime seriousness data.     

关于司法鉴定人负责制的反思

现行的司法鉴定人负责制，无论从司法鉴定程序、社会传统理念、司法鉴定文书出具方式、司法鉴定人的责任能力和执业保障制度、现行相关法律和规章等各方面，都是行不通的，应予改革。     

对司法鉴定协会推行技术仲裁之论证

自黑龙江省2003年成立全国第一家司法鉴定人协会以来，全国绝大部分省均已陆续成立了省级司法鉴定协会。司法鉴定协会的传统作用和通常可预期的作用不外乎以下方面：业务指导和培训、学术交流、业务交流和调研、对外交流、信息共享、纪律约束和奖惩、会员维权、竞业协调、行业间协调、与相关国家机关间的协调、制订行业标准和技术规范、立法咨询、信誉等级评价、社会慈善。笔者认为，除了以上作用以外，司法鉴定协会还有更大的空间发挥其技术和社会团体的优势，至少在处理信访和投诉，减少重新鉴定率方面可以有明显的作为。     

Sequencing of mitochondrial DNA and the problem of human specificity

When analysing trace materials and degraded DNA the issue of human specificity is highly important. Especially when it comes down to the analysis of mitochondrial DNA which is extremely susceptible to contamination authenticity is the main question. Therefore in the presented study mitochondrial primers were tested on their human specificity. In all cases it was possible to amplify DNA of animals with human mt-primers. These unintentional amplifications could only be decreased by choosing austere PCR parameters. The study implies the importance of comprehensive evaluation of primers, chemicals and PCR parameters.     

水牛原生殖细胞核移植的研究

以水牛原生殖细胞(PGCs)为核供体,成熟水牛卵母细胞为受体,采用电融合法和胞质内直接注核法对水牛PGCs的核移植进行了研究.从水牛胎儿的生殖嵴或生殖腺分离得到PGCs,在胎儿成纤维细胞饲养层上传代培养后,进行核移植.结果显示,当采用电融合法时,PGCs核移植的融合率、分裂率、囊胚率和总囊胚率均显著高于胎儿成纤维细胞(P＜0.05);当采用直接注核法进行核移植时,PGCs的核移植囊胚率显著高于胎儿成纤维细胞(P＜0.05),但分裂率差异不显著(P＞0.05).结果表明,水牛PGCs细胞是理想的核移植供体细胞.     

The legal role of medical professionals in decisions to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment: part 1 (New South Wales)

This is the first article in a series of three that examines the legal role of medical professionals in decisions to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment from adults who lack capacity. This article considers the position in New South Wales. A review of the law in this State reveals that medical professionals play significant legal roles in these decisions. However, the law is problematic in a number of respects and this is likely to impede medical professionals' legal knowledge in this area. The article examines the level of training medical professionals receive on issues such as advance directives and substitute decision-making, and the available empirical evidence as to the state of medical professionals' knowledge of the law at the end of life. It concludes that there are gaps in legal knowledge and that law reform is needed in New South Wales.     

试论苗族鼓社的社会作用

鼓社是苗族古代社会的三大支柱之一,鼓社祭在苗族社会中存在了几千年,虽然它的核心是家祀祖先,具有浓厚的原始宗教色彩,但它在苗族社会发展历程中却发挥着积极作用,为维系苗族的生存和进步作出了应有的贡献。。